THE province of Pampanga and two of its cities were declared winners of the 21st Regional Gawad Kalasag by the Central Luzon Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC-3).

Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Regional Director and RDRRMC 3 Chairperson Marlou L. Salazar announced that Pampanga finished first place in the Local DRRMC category provincial level, while Angeles City bagged the top prize in the Highly-Urbanized City, and the City of San Fernando for Component City level.

Also proclaimed winners were Aurora for first to third class municipality level and Barangay Pagas in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija for Barangay-Urban level.

Meanwhile, Sindalan National Child Development Center from City of San Fernando was also named winner in School Category Early Learning Center level along with Alas Asin Elementary School from Mariveles, Bataan in the Public Elementary level, Camp Tinio National High School from Cabanatuan City in the Public Secondary level, and Tarlac Agricultural University for Higher Education Institution level.

Hospital category winners, meanwhile, include Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center from Cabanatuan City for National level, Mariveles Mental Hospital from Bataan for Specialty Level, and James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital from Olongapo City for Local Government Unit level.

Salazar said the annual search aims to recognize outstanding performances of Local DRRM Councils/Committees, institutions, organizations, and individuals who have shown acts of heroism before, during, or after a disaster or emergency.